Acts 6: Be careful about conservative spin

In this chapter there is an interesting theme of the power of words. The Hellenists brought a word of concern about their own widows being left out, the word that resulted was one of compassion and concern finding a way to meet their needs, and finally the words being shared about this guy named Stephen, an over-zealous Christ-follower.

The message regarding Stephen’s zeal was one of great concern to the law promoting, conservative Pharisee’s of the day. After all, this guy was saying that Jesus had changed the value that should be placed on the temple and the law. He was speaking against Moses and telling the people that many of the long-held to customs were just not necessary. The last few verses of this chapter reveal that there was some amazing spin put on about the message of Stephen, enough to call for this peaceful preachers death.

You have now entered the spin zone of Phariseism, in which turf must be protected at all costs. If Stephen would be allowed to continue propagating his liberal agenda and these progressive ways, just think what may be allowed to happen on the Sabbath? Imagine what would become of the priestly responsibilities in the temple? The entire economical hub surrounding Jerusalem and the Temple would be greatly altered, and if Jesus was the Messiah and there is no longer any need for sacrifices and ceremonial law, what exactly would the Pharisees do everyday? Would they exchange their protecting of the law for proclaiming a message of freedom in Jesus Christ? That would truly be conversion and life transformation. That would include a spiritual revolution as well as a change in profession. So what do they do with this message of deliverance…. Kill the messenger and hope the message dies too; and yet in hindsight, they killed the messenger only to see the message multiplied by thousands and Christianity spread world-wide. This is a dangerous, yet unfruitful, spin zone that should serve as a caution today to not be so steeped in tradition that the truth is rejected while legalistic stones are being thrown to protect ones turf.

Acts 5: A prison break and a word to Christianity’s haters

This chapter includes some mysterious demonstrations of God’s power: people dying that lied to the body of believers, people being healed even as Peter just walked by, and then the entire band of the apostles seemingly translated out of the local prison and into the temple.

The last one includes some interesting details that get too quickly looked over. First I would say we often give most of our attention in the “holy prison breaks” category to the deliverance of Paul and Silas as they were singing and the prison keeper ends up being a follower of Jesus. While that one certainly has some awesome moments, this one included all, or at least a good group of the apostles. That flows into the second interesting detail, that the entire band just walked right out of the prison doors and back onto the street when the angel opened them (vs 19). The crazy part here is that no one saw this happen, no guards saw nearly a dozen guys being led by an angel through the halls and out the front door. Nearly as if this kind of entourage occurs daily at the JJC (Jerusalem Justice Center). Thirdly, upon being investigated, the doors at JJC were found securely locked and guards were faithfully standing beside them (vs 23).  Fourth, possibly the strangest thing is that as they are brought from their temple teaching to be questioned, nothing is said of their JJC escape. It is almost as if the officials don’t want to know. They must have known it was a miraculous thing rather than any normal prison break, and decided that to call attention to the miraculous would only stir up greater interest and cause there to be more believers.

The item of most interest is the way in which this commotion ends. Gamaliel, one of the leaders in the city, basically stands up and says let’s just let this group run its course. He calls attention to several other instances of strange teaching and their followers eventually just losing interest or creating so much commotion that they were killed. So after arresting the apostles, throwing them into prison, re-arresting them after they walked out unhindered, interrogating them, and beating them they decide to let them go in the hope that this evangelical movement will just die off the scene and be forgotten. Now nearly 2000 years later people, just like Gamaliel, are still waiting for these followers of Jesus to fade into oblivion. Those who are waiting, and doubting, and mocking may want to take heed to the rest of Gamaliel’s advice, “If it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God.”( Vs39)

Acts 2: The gospel chapter

This chapter is amazing. The gospel is astoundingly prevalent immediately after Jesus ascends to heaven. This was his plan: that people would believe the gospel and follow him for eternity, notice what happens as we see the gospel behind this entire chapter.

Verse 1: the gospel unifies; they were brought together to hear the gospel.
Verse 2: the gospel empowered: one of the very reasons for the giving our the Holy Spirit was to empower the proclamation of the gospel.
Verse 3,4: the gospel set free: God was not about to allow the gospel to get trapped in just one culture or language.
Verse 5: the gospel is for every nation.
Verse 6: the gospel is multi-lingual: how beautiful to hear the gospel shared in every language.

Verse 7-11: the gospel is the sharing of the mighty acts of God, something that every language must hear.
Verse 12: the gospel places everyone in the place of deciding what must be done with this news.
Verse 13: the gospel and God's unusual work in his followers lives will be misunderstood by onlookers. (This is not or goal, but it may happen none the less. )
Verse 14-21 the gospel is God's plan; Peter by quoting the prophet Joel demonstrates that that plan connects to the past and will continue to grow in powerful ways in the future.


Verse 22: the gospel is Jesus: Peter reminds them that Jesus is the center of the gospel.
Verse 23: the gospel was not an after thought of the Almighty, it was always the plan.
Verse 24: the gospel is that Jesus died and was risen to establish gain for those who believe.
Verse 25,26: Jesus and his gospel makes us glad, gives us something to remove in today, and provides hope for the future.
Verse 27,28: the gospel delivers from Hades, gives purpose to living, and allows us to enjoy God's presence.
Verse 29-31 the gospel is timeless: King David attested to this gospel long before Jesus came to earth.
Verse 32,33 the gospel is to be proclaimed: they were witnesses of the gospel of Jesus and his resurrection.
Verse 33,34 the gospel includes the truth that it is because of sin and singers that Jesus was crucified.
Verse 37: when the gospel is declared it cuts to the heart.
Verse 38 the response to the gospel is to repent, believe, and be baptized.
Verse 39: the gospel is for you and your children.
VERSE 40,41: THE GOSPEL is worth repeating.
Verse 42-47: the gospel leads to multiple manifestations inside community with other believers: teaching, fellowship, baking of bread, prayers, signs, commonality, giving, generosity, worship, friendship, and bringing new people to a saving knowledge of this gospel.

This is the gospel - this is amazing - this is for you.

Acts: Getting in 5x5x5 today? Start fresh in Acts

Today our 5x5x5 plan of reading the New Testament through in one year jumps to a new book and also allows a good spot for new readers to jump in on the plan. Some have asked me why we now go into Acts, and why the plan is not from cover to cover, starting with Matthew and ending with Revelation. It is purposely laid out to allow us to read one of the gospels and see Jesus at for different periods of the year. In being true to the timeline in part we now look to the book of Acts.

This book begins with hope having been realized and fulfilled in the Messiah's resurrection having taken place. The transition now tales place where his apostles will continue his ministry and expand the church.

As I read today I noticed the special significance and choosing of the apostles. Take note of a few things with me:
Verse 2 - apostles were chosen by Jesus.
Verse 2 - they are given commands through the Holy Spirit.
Verse 4 - they no doubt spent time with Jesus.
Verse 20 - they felt it necessary, through the authority of Scripture to replace Judas to have 12 apostles again.
Verse 21 - one of the qualifications was that he be someone that had often been with them during Jesus ministry, someone who had seen and hard Jesus.
Verse 22 - this new apostle would be a witness of the resurrected Lord, they would be someone that had seen him since he rose from the dead.
Verse 24 -the choosing of this new apostle was again left up to Jesus.

So in light of reading Acts 1, what do you think? Should we look for apostles today? Is the office of apostleship active today? Interesting to consider, what do you think?

Mark 16 Resurrection brings with it a common theme

This chapter carries the greatest truth worth proclaiming the risen Lord. "You seek Jesus, the one who was crucified. HE HAS RISEN. But go, tell."

This is our hope. The hope for our world lies in the fact that there is One, that in breaking free from his tomb and mocking death's stranglehold, will bring restoration to all that sin has plagued. The one who is risen also restores. The one who triumphed over death is transforming and will ultimately transform those who are his and bring about a new heaven and new earth.

In the mist of this glorious message there is a consistent theme in this chapter. Did you catch it? It begins with the question in Verse 3, "Who will?" A question that innocently enough was asked and yet lacked some belief that God could take care of it. The common theme is that of belief, check it out, look back at veers 11 and 13. Well in this case the theme was the opposite: disbelief. And then look down and see what  Jesus says in Verse 16. He focuses in on the outcome of belief and the reality of disbelief: condemnation.

So tell me, are you clinging to this amazing message today, "You seek Jesus, the one who was crucified. HE HAS RISEN. But go, tell." Or are you in disbelief and doubting a God that rose from the dead and is offering you renewal?

Mark 15: His love went this deep!

As I read of our Lord's trial and crucifixion I kept thinking of this song. I trust it helps you worship today as you read and meditate about how much he loved us and how His death enables us to know and walk with God unhindered by bondage to sin.

Mark 14: The tale of two worshippers

The way this chapter begins and ends describes the two opposite ends of the spectrum of the way Christ followers respond to Jesus. The first displays extravagant and unhindered worship lavishly poured out from a heart longing to communicate how much she valued her Lord. The last vividly shows the immobilizing grip the fear of man can have on one who just hours before had sworn his allegiance to his Lord.

Both were preceded by some intriguing circumstances. For Mary it was the vivid memory of her brothers death and the live demonstration of the one who is the resurrection and the life raising him after four days of death. For Peter it was precede by his brave and repetitive assurance to Jesus that no matter what happened he would never deny him.

Both were surrounded by less than God honoring encouragement. Mary: ridiculed, laughed at, and publicly scolded. Peter: pointed out, investigated, and accused. One came with humility